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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
Ok it was ok, but sometimes i have to force myself to keep reading
It was a good book... but i'll read the next part anyway
It was a good book... but i'll read the next part anyway
I am embarrassed at how long it took me to read this book. It's not that it was bad, in fact it was amazing, but I just had no motivation to read at all. Which is terrible because I've been on a road trip for the past two weeks and have had so much time to read. It's too late now though. I am just so happy I finally finished it! Anyway, I really really enjoyed this book. I cannot wait to read the sequel!
It’s like Ender’s Game meets Ready Player One. I think my students will enjoy the characters and plot.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I honestly debated giving a higher rating, but I couldn't--there were just several things about the book that rankled me. I won't deny that Insignia has an intriguing idea, as well as lots of humor. However, I was bothered by 1)Tom, 2)Wyatt, and 3)the way the information about the world was included in the book.
1. Tom: just a minor complaint, really--he's a genius, but he doesn't truly gain confidence until he loses his "ugly" look of acne and lack of height
2. Wyatt: again, a minor complaint, but kind of personal to me: throughout the novel, she's described as seriously "lacking in social skills"--nothing in her characterization really proved that, to me; rather, she just seemed shy and when shy people are forced into unfamiliar situations, then obviously they aren't going to react well
3. Information dumping was all over the novel: Rather than being skillfully incorporated into the narrative, it was just dumped onto the reader, disguised in the form of material taught by a teacher--this came off as contrived and boring and severely weakened the world-building
Okay, lastly, I can't help but wonder: If this is marketed as a YA book, then why on earth is the protagonist only 14? That's more of a MG age, but if I'd been reading this at 14, I doubt I would've understood some of the plot details as much: for example, I only know what neural plasticity and synapses are because of AP Psych, which I took in senior year of high school.
1. Tom: just a minor complaint, really--he's a genius, but he doesn't truly gain confidence until he loses his "ugly" look of acne and lack of height
2. Wyatt: again, a minor complaint, but kind of personal to me: throughout the novel, she's described as seriously "lacking in social skills"--nothing in her characterization really proved that, to me; rather, she just seemed shy and when shy people are forced into unfamiliar situations, then obviously they aren't going to react well
3. Information dumping was all over the novel: Rather than being skillfully incorporated into the narrative, it was just dumped onto the reader, disguised in the form of material taught by a teacher--this came off as contrived and boring and severely weakened the world-building
Okay, lastly, I can't help but wonder: If this is marketed as a YA book, then why on earth is the protagonist only 14? That's more of a MG age, but if I'd been reading this at 14, I doubt I would've understood some of the plot details as much: for example, I only know what neural plasticity and synapses are because of AP Psych, which I took in senior year of high school.
I read this book aloud to the kids. I nearly lost my voice because they begged me to keep reading just one more chapter. This book is a fun cross between The Matrix and Ender's Game with teenage boy swagger. I know I'll have to risk losing my voice again when the sequel comes out.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh, Tom Raines. My old friend. That guy who is the rebellious side of all of us. You will live long in all our memories. You are frustrating, brilliant, lovable, and frustrating all at the same time. You are real to me, as are your struggles.
The same goes to you, Wyatt, Vikram, Yuri, and Medusa. You're all wonderful young people. If you hadn't enchanted me with your tales, my summer would have been a lot less exciting.
Similar to Ender's Game and Matched, and Mass Effect, for that matter, Insignia paints an imaginitive picture of a corporation-controlled future earth which is at war high in space. The power of the technology used in the story is fantastic, and the power of the plot even more so. I feel as though I've lived in the Pentagonal Spire, experienced the sims classes with Tom, and felt his emotions.
5/5 stars.
The same goes to you, Wyatt, Vikram, Yuri, and Medusa. You're all wonderful young people. If you hadn't enchanted me with your tales, my summer would have been a lot less exciting.
Similar to Ender's Game and Matched, and Mass Effect, for that matter, Insignia paints an imaginitive picture of a corporation-controlled future earth which is at war high in space. The power of the technology used in the story is fantastic, and the power of the plot even more so. I feel as though I've lived in the Pentagonal Spire, experienced the sims classes with Tom, and felt his emotions.
5/5 stars.